Paula Deen denounced, mocked for racial slur

Jun. 20, 2013

FILE - This Jan. 17, 2012 file photo shows celebrity chef Paula Deen posing for a portrait in New York. Deen says she has used racial slurs in the past but insists she and her brother, who are accused of racial and sexual discrimination in a lawsuit by a former manager of their restaurant, don't tolerate hateful behavior. In a court deposition conducted on May 17, 2013 and filed Monday, June 17, 2013, in federal court, an attorney for former restaurant manager Lisa Jackson presses the 66-year-old Deen about her racial views and those of her brother, Bubba Hiers. (AP Photo/Carlo Allegri, File) / AP

Written by

Ann Oldenburg, USA TODAY

Paula Deen continues to be under fire for admitting use of the n-word.

News broke on Wednesday that the celeb chef made the admission in court depositions involving a lawsuit filed by one her restaurant managers charging discrimination. When asked if she had ever used the n-word, Deen replied, “Yes, of course.” But, she added, “It’s been a very long time.”

Deen has been distancing herself from the remarks. Her lawyer issued a statement immediately saying Deen “does not condone” use of the word.

And today in a new statement, her rep tells USA TODAY that Deen “recounted having used a racial epithet in the past, speaking largely about a time in American history which was quite different than today. She was born 60 years ago when America’s South had schools that were segregated, different bathrooms, different restaurants and Americans rode in different parts of the bus. This is not today. To be clear Ms. Deen does not find acceptable the use of this term under any circumstance by anyone nor condone any form of racism or discrimination. “

However, that isn’t stopping the court of public opinion from weighing in.

Wendy Williams tells Entertainment Tonight, “This is something that has been swirling around about Paula Deen for longer than this story. … It just goes to show you money doesn’t buy you class, it only exposes who you really are. Stupid is as stupid does.”

She went on to say, “I’m done with Paula Deen.”

And when asked about possible repercussions, Williams responded, “It’s definitely tarnished her image and brand. Fortunately for Paula, all of this ignorance has fallen out of her mouth after she’s amassed more money than she’ll know how to spend in her lifetime. So don’t worry about Paula, she’ll be just fine.”

Taking a lighter tone on Twitter, jokesters have been mocking Deen and the situation, promtping #paulasbestdishes to become a trending topic. Among the suggestions for specialties Deen could whip up: